The Indian Premier League (IPL) has produced some of the most remarkable batting performances in T20 cricket. Since the tournament began in 2008, several batters have rewritten the record books with explosive innings, powerful stroke play and extraordinary scoring rates.
Chris Gayle holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL history, having scored an unbeaten 175 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India in 2013. His innings remains one of the most dominant displays of power hitting in the tournament.
Brendon McCullum also occupies a special place in IPL history. His unbeaten 158 for Kolkata Knight Riders in the inaugural match in 2008 helped establish the competition as a platform for aggressive and entertaining cricket.
From Gayle’s record-breaking performance to memorable centuries by AB de Villiers, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and other leading batters, the IPL has consistently delivered individual innings that capture the attention of cricket fans worldwide.
Top 20 Highest Individual Scores in IPL History
Rank | Player | Team | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 175* | 66 |
2 | Brendon McCullum | Kolkata Knight Riders | 158* | 73 |
3 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 141 | 55 | |
4 | Quinton de Kock | Lucknow Super Giants | 140* | 70 |
5 | AB de Villiers | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 133* | 59 |
6 | KL Rahul | Kings XI Punjab | 132* | 69 |
7 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 129* | 52 | |
8 | Shubman Gill | Gujarat Titans | 129 | 60 |
9 | Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 128* | 62 |
10 | Rishabh Pant | Delhi Daredevils | 128* | 63 |
11 | Murali Vijay | Chennai Super Kings | 127 | 56 |
12 | David Warner | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 126 | 59 |
13 | Marcus Stoinis | Lucknow Super Giants | 124* | 63 |
14 | Jos Buttler | Rajasthan Royals | 124 | 64 |
15 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | Rajasthan Royals | 124 | 62 |
16 | Virender Sehwag | Kings XI Punjab | 122 | 58 |
17 | Paul Valthaty | Kings XI Punjab | 120* | 63 |
18 | Virender Sehwag | Kings XI Punjab | 119 | 56 |
19 | Sanju Samson | Rajasthan Royals | 119 | 63 |
20 | Rishabh Pant | Delhi Daredevils | 118* | 61 |
1. Chris Gayle – 175* off 66 Balls
Chris Gayle produced the highest individual score in IPL history on April 23, 2013, when he scored an unbeaten 175 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India in Bengaluru.
The West Indies opener faced 66 deliveries, hitting 13 fours and 17 sixes. His innings featured extraordinary power and timing, with Pune’s bowlers struggling to contain him throughout the match.
Gayle reached his century in just 30 balls, setting the record for the fastest century in IPL history. He continued attacking after reaching three figures, helping Royal Challengers Bangalore post 263/5.
Pune Warriors India finished on 133/9, giving Royal Challengers Bangalore a 130-run victory.
The innings remains the highest individual score in the IPL and one of the most celebrated performances in T20 cricket.
2. Brendon McCullum – 158* off 73 Balls
Brendon McCullum announced the arrival of the IPL with a remarkable unbeaten 158 for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 18, 2008.
In the tournament’s inaugural match, McCullum struck 10 fours and 13 sixes, helping Kolkata Knight Riders reach 222/3. His aggressive approach immediately demonstrated the entertainment potential of franchise T20 cricket.
Royal Challengers Bangalore struggled in response and were dismissed for 82, handing Kolkata Knight Riders a 140-run victory.
McCullum’s innings became one of the defining moments of the IPL’s first season. More than an individual milestone, it established a benchmark for attacking batting and helped introduce the competition to a worldwide audience.
3. Abhishek Sharma – 141 off 55 Balls
Abhishek Sharma has emerged as one of the most aggressive left-handed batters in modern IPL cricket. His 141 off 55 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Punjab Kings in 2025 was a standout example of his attacking ability.
His innings featured powerful hitting, rapid scoring and the confidence to take on both pace and spin. It helped Sunrisers Hyderabad chase a substantial target and demonstrated the impact an aggressive top-order batter can have in a T20 contest.
Abhishek’s performance also reflected the changing approach to IPL batting, where players increasingly look to maximise scoring opportunities from the beginning of an innings.
4. Quinton de Kock – 140* off 70 Balls
Quinton de Kock produced a commanding unbeaten 140 for Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders in 2022.
The South African wicketkeeper-batter combined clean hitting with calculated aggression, finding boundaries consistently while maintaining control over his innings.
His performance showcased his ability to dominate bowling attacks without relying exclusively on power. De Kock’s timing and placement helped him construct one of the most memorable individual innings in Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL history.
5. AB de Villiers – 133* off 59 Balls
AB de Villiers was renowned for his innovative batting and ability to score boundaries across every part of the ground. His unbeaten 133 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Mumbai Indians in 2015 was a demonstration of those qualities.
De Villiers struck 19 fours and four sixes, using exceptional hand-eye coordination and unconventional shot selection to put the opposition under pressure.
His innings helped Royal Challengers Bangalore post a commanding total and reinforced his reputation as one of the most versatile batters in T20 cricket.
6. KL Rahul – 132* off 69 Balls
KL Rahul scored an unbeaten 132 for Kings XI Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2020.
The right-handed batter combined technical discipline with aggressive stroke play, building a substantial innings while maintaining a strong scoring rate.
Rahul’s performance was particularly significant because he controlled the innings from the top of the order, ensuring his team had a competitive total on the board.
His ability to combine timing, placement and power has made him one of the most consistent run-scorers in IPL cricket.
7. AB de Villiers – 129* off 52 Balls
AB de Villiers delivered another remarkable performance with an unbeaten 129 against Gujarat Lions in 2016.
His innings featured a combination of clean hitting, inventive stroke play and rapid acceleration. De Villiers found gaps with precision before shifting into an aggressive mode that put the opposition under sustained pressure.
The performance remains one of the most memorable examples of his extraordinary ability to change the course of a match in a short period.
8. Shubman Gill – 129 off 60 Balls
The innings included seven fours and 10 sixes, helping Gujarat Titans post 233/3. Gill combined a measured start with a powerful finish, demonstrating his ability to adapt his scoring rate as an innings developed.
His performance played a crucial role in Gujarat Titans reaching the final and further strengthened his reputation as one of India's leading young batters.
9. Chris Gayle – 128* off 62 Balls
Chris Gayle features again among the highest individual scores with an unbeaten 128 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Delhi Daredevils in 2012.
His innings highlighted the same qualities that defined his record-breaking 175: powerful hitting, confident shot selection and the ability to maintain pressure on bowlers.
Gayle’s presence more than once on the list illustrates his remarkable impact on the IPL during his peak years.
10. Rishabh Pant – 128* off 63 Balls
Rishabh Pant produced an unbeaten 128 for Delhi Daredevils against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018.
The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter attacked with confidence, using his ability to play unconventional shots and clear the boundary to build a substantial total.
Pant’s innings established him as one of the most exciting young batters in the competition and demonstrated the value of fearless batting in the middle order.
Why Are High Individual Scores Important in the IPL?
High individual scores often influence the outcome of T20 matches by helping teams establish commanding totals or complete challenging run chases.
Several factors contribute to these performances:
Power hitting: The ability to clear the boundary regularly helps batters accelerate the scoring rate.
Shot selection: Reading bowlers and identifying scoring opportunities are essential to building a big innings.
Consistency: Maintaining concentration over 50 or more deliveries allows batters to convert a strong start into a major score.
Match awareness: Successful batters balance individual scoring milestones with their team's requirements.
Adaptability: Different pitches, ground dimensions and bowling combinations require players to adjust their approach.
The IPL's highest individual scores demonstrate how these qualities combine to produce memorable performances.
How IPL Batting Has Evolved
Since 2008, IPL batting has evolved considerably. Teams now use extensive match analysis, data-driven tactics and specialised batting roles to maximise scoring opportunities.
Batters are increasingly prepared to attack from the powerplay, use innovative shots against different bowling styles and accelerate aggressively during the final overs.
Despite these developments, the highest scores still require exceptional execution. Gayle’s 175 remains a reminder of how difficult it is to sustain an extraordinary scoring rate throughout an innings.
As new players emerge and T20 tactics continue to develop, the race to challenge the IPL's biggest individual scores remains one of the competition’s enduring attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL history?
Chris Gayle holds the record with an unbeaten 175 off 66 balls for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors India in 2013.
Who scored 158 in the first IPL match?
Brendon McCullum scored an unbeaten 158 off 73 balls for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural IPL match on April 18, 2008.
How many sixes did Chris Gayle hit in his 175-run innings?
Gayle hit 17 sixes and 13 fours during his unbeaten 175 against Pune Warriors India.
Which Indian batter has scored one of the highest individual totals in IPL history?
Several Indian batters feature among the leading individual scorers, including Abhishek Sharma, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virender Sehwag and Rishabh Pant.
Can Chris Gayle’s record of 175 be broken?
Yes. The record can be surpassed if a batter scores more than 175 runs in a future IPL innings. However, reaching such a total requires exceptional skill, sustained attacking performance and favourable match conditions.
Conclusion
The highest individual scores in IPL history reflect the extraordinary batting talent that has shaped the tournament since its beginning. Chris Gayle’s unbeaten 175 remains the benchmark, while Brendon McCullum’s 158 not out continues to symbolise the excitement of the inaugural season.
From AB de Villiers’ innovative stroke play to the performances of modern stars such as Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, these innings illustrate how individual brilliance can transform a T20 match.
As the IPL continues to evolve, new batters will have opportunities to challenge its established records. Until then, Gayle’s 175 remains one of the most iconic innings in the history of franchise cricket.
